(ii) Actual interview (how to face various situations and various types of questions)

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(iii) After interview

Let us consider these stages in detail.

i. Before interview:

Contrary to the common notion, the pre-interview buildup has to start not after receiving the interview call but from the time you decide to apply for a certain job. If you are appearing for a competitive examination, say the IAS, or for a managerial post, you can and should find out what kind of interviews is conducted for it.

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1. Build a positive mindset:

As you prepare for the questions that may be asked, put yourself in a positive mental frame about the interview and, even more, for accepting and excelling in the job. Manage your mood.

2. Meet successful candidates:

This helps you to know what qualities successful candidates have. You may consciously try to imbibe them.

3. Confidence through mock interviews:

Appear for mock interviews and go through the interview experience as many times as you can. Then the actual interview would appear a familiar experience.

4. Study your resume:

Be prepared to face questions on your background and to explain gaps, if any, in your educational career and employment. Revise your subject knowledge, especially when this knowledge is relevant to the post applied for.

5. Find out about the company:

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Try to learn about the company where you are appearing for an interview – its products, reputation, working conditions, policies, recent advances, main position-holders, etc.

6. Details about your existing organisation:

Study afresh the organisation where you are working. If you are appearing for a promotion interview, this is all the more necessary. For some reason, you are expected to know about departments other than your own.

7. Brush up your general knowledge:

General knowledge is a common subject during an interview. Revise it. Study thie news headlines and editorials regularly as the interview gets nearer, especially of the day or afternoon of the interview.

8. Find out the interview location:

If you are in a new town for the interview, it is good to know the place of interview, the means for reaching there, etc. You should take care to reach the place well in time and be without any time pressure on you at the time of interview.

9. Prepare your dress etc.:

You have to plan what dress you will wear for your interview. Your appearance may be judged from top to toes – your haircut, shaving, make-up down to shoes or sandals.

10. Go blessed:

Most people find it helpful to seek God’s and elders’ blessings for an interview.

11. Keep your testimonials ready:

Carry your originals (if required) in a presentable file. If you have developed any new credential since the application, e.g. a publication, you may take it with you. Your interview letter and other necessary documents should be with you for the meet with prospective employers.

In short, there is a great deal to do before the interview. Well prepared is half won.

ii. During interview:

The interview day is the acid test, or, as some put it, the D-Day (i.e. the Doom’s Day or the Day of Judgment). All your build-up should be for making yourself as presentable as possible for the interview.

During the interview, keep this in mind:

1. You are judged first by your non-verbal communication:

As you enter the interview room, you’re standing personality, your dress, the way you walk, carry your file, your smile – all this make the first impression. Walk in halfway like a job-holder. Smile as you smile to helpful friends.

2. Greeting cheerfully:

In most cases, even the interviewers are a little bit nervous when facing a new candidate. You can seize the lead by greeting in a cheerful, confident manner, looking the interviewers in the eye.

3. Await permission to sit down:

In most cases, the interviewers offer a chair within a few seconds of your entry. Wait for the offer. Otherwise you may ask, “May I take a seat please?”

4. Sit at ease but be alert:

Sit in an easy, relaxed manner, keeping your posture smart. Be ready to listen and take in the non-verbal communications coming from the interview board.

5. Answer briefly and to the point:

Use few words to answer questions. Stick to what is necessary. Take a reasonable time to think up answers.

6. Get the question clarified:

If you have not been able to get the question right, request the interviewer to repeat it. A short form (e.g. PIL = Public Interest Litigation) or a technical word (e.g. Ozone Hole) may pose a difficulty to you. Get the precise clarification you need.

Avoid bluffing to your interview board. Tell what you know for sure. Sometimes you may be encouraged to guess, but guess on the safe side. If you do not know the answer, don’t beat about the bush. If your memory doesn’t help you, you can say, “At the moment I can’t recall.”

9. Keep your temper in check:

Avoid over anxiety and getting upset with the interviewer. In case an opinion contrary to your views is expressed, do not show a vehement opposition.

10. Stay positive in all conditions:

Whether the interview is a long one or a short one, you have to hold your positive mental frame throughout. An interview can be a psychologically draining experience. Your mental stamina is tested. Keep your hope alive and go on.

11. Use pen and paper where necessary:

To explain certain things, you may need pen and paper. Use them with skill and steady hands. This is where you are teacher and the interviewers are learners.

12. Take up a You attitude for the company:

Your answer should reflect that you wish to grow with the organisation and not use the organisation for your profit, experience and growth. Take on the role of an employee who is devoted to duty and assured of rewards when duty is done.

13. Keep your questions ready:

You may have your own questions about the working conditions, salary etc. to visualize your position as an employee. Keep these questions ready and ask them when the opportunity presents itself. However, do not presume you are selected.

14. Make a graceful exit:

Whatever the kind of interview you have had, your exit is one more chance to impress the board. Thank the board members from your heart and exit as you came, measuring every step of the way with dignity.

iii. After interview:

In some cases, there may be a follow-up after the interview. In case you have promised to send something to the interview board, send it in due course, e.g. a copy of your project report, your summing-up of the interview, etc.

Till the time it is received and read, a decision on your selection may be held in suspension. Reconstruct the interview ‘mentally or with a well-wisher and evaluate yourself. This can help you in future interviews and, in fact, in life in general. A job interview can be a major learning experience.

Role of Interviewer:

Just as a candidate prepares for his interview, the interviewer also has to get ready for the meet.

A. Preparing to conduct interviews:

Here are some tips for good conduct of interviews:

1. Screen the applications and shortlist the applicants who are, on the face of it, fit for interview.

2. Make sure your interview call reaches them in time and gives all necessary instructions.

3. Make the interview room friendly and fit for a useful exchange of information. This is like preparing a stadium for a match.

4. Keep the interview time free from interruptions from visitors and cell phone calls.

5. Make a list of general questions you would like to ask. If you are a member of a panel, allocate roles between yourselves in mutual consultation. One of you may be a subject expert, another psychology expert and so on. Get prior information via informal channels to know the candidate in his natural hesitation.

6. Circulate copies of application to all board members and make markings on applications in case you have specific questions for a candidate. Pre-planning of questions will help you to get the best candidate.

7. Make good arrangements for reception, recording the candidates’ presence and payment of TA/DA etc.

8. Your interview style is an image-builder for your company. Use this opportunity to impress the candidate so that he speaks well of you.

B. During interview:

An interviewee who is put at ease is likely to reveal himself better than one who has been put under pressure and made nervous. Everything about the interview board should reflect a friendly reception.

Here are some general tips on the conduct of interviews:

1. Let each interview board member have a file on the candidate and paper for making nothings.

2. Receive the candidate with a warm, cautious Welcome. Respond to his greetings and offer him a chair. Use courtesies like “please,” “thank you,” etc. Treat him halfway as a colleague.

3. Let the first few questions be calculated to put the candidate at his ease. The real test can begin after that.

4. Avoid cross-talk among board members.

5. Listen well. Take in the non-verbal communications, too.

6. Avoid a sarcastic tone or making comments about his linguistic group, religion, etc. Keep yourself free from prejudice about simple or glamorous appearances. Judge what he/she is, but even more, visualize what he/she may become in reasonable time with your training and inputs.

7. If the candidate is at a loss for words, help him to give a full answer. You may ask sub- questions to the main question.

8. Don’t show your positive or negative perceptions about the candidate.

9. Keep the interview of an optimal length, neither too short nor overly long. The chairman of the interview board has a major say in the time-planning of the interview.

10. Avoid asking the same questions to every candidate.

11. You may have to finish a given number of interviews in given time. Accommodate the number of interviews as planned.

12. Respect the candidate for the questions he/she asks to clarify your questions or to know about the organisation.

13. If the candidate is talkative, use your veto to get on to the next question.

14. At the end, thank the candidate. Don’t reveal the outcome by word or gesture during the interview.

Some Useful Questions for Job Interviews:

Here we list some questions for job interviews:

1. Tell us about yourself.

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

3. What subject do you like best?

4. What are your interests/hobbies?

5. Why is there a break in your education/employment here?

6. What were your extra-curricular activities and achievements? Tell us the details.

7. Why have you chosen to apply for this job?

8. Do you like to work in a team or alone?

9. Tell us about some circumstance where you took initiative?

10. What qualities are required to succeed in the job you have applied for?

11. What was the main news today morning? What do you think of it?

12. Who is your role model and why?

13. Tell us about your present job and boss.

14. Are you willing to accept a posting out of town?

15. Are you willing to work late hours?

16. Would you like to acquire any more professional skills? What are they?

17. Why did you leave your last job?

18. What is your parents’ contribution towards making you what you are?

19. Which school/college has contributed most to your growth? How?

20. What do you do to keep healthy?

21. How do you spend your holidays and Sundays?

22. What do you do to keep yourself up-to-date in your specialisation?

23. Do you think you have been rewarded well for your talents? Explain.